3lO
.
The Chmidcs of OWaAomcr
PRELIMINARY REPORT O F SURVEY O F INSCRIPTIONS
ALONG SANTA FE TRAIL I N OKLAHOMA
August 15, 1960
Report of Commitf ee
Under the joint sponsorship of the Oklahoma Historical
Society and the Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation, this
Committee has completed its investigation of the various inscriptions and autographs along that portion of the Santa F e
Trail in Oklahoma and submits herewith this preliminary report.
Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and
while the area of the Southwest was under Spanish control the
town was the capital of the northern provinces. The first recorded visit to Santa F e overland by an American is that of
James Purcell who reached Santa Fe in June, 1805, after many
wanderings across Mid-United States.l Without doubt there
had been earlier intercourse, as it is reasonable to assume that
French and Spanish contact was made during the 18th Century
between Santa Fe and such French outposts as Ferdinandina,
a trading post located in what is now Kay County, Oklahoma.
Pike's expedition of 1806, however, is the earliest detailed account of a journey between the United States and Santa Fe.
He reached Santa F e under Spanish military escort in February,
180'7.'
Early in the 19th Century the possibilities of commercial
trade with Santa Fe and the surrounding regions became something of great preoccupation with the American people. Reports
that common calico sold for as much as $3.00 for a Spanish yard
of 33 inch& fired the imaginations of countless traders and
adventurers.
Senator Thomas H. Benton of Missouri became the leader
of an organized movement to provide a road to New Mexico, and
the Santa F e Trail was the creature of his political sacacity.
By Act of March 3, 1825,4 Congress appropriated $30,000 for
the survey of a mute. Of this sum, $20,000 was ear-marked for
the acquisition of right-of-way from local Indian tribes.
1 Gibut,
The Exploration of Western America (Cambridge, 1933). p. 162.
Ibid. p. 156.
8 josiah Greg& Commerce of the Prairies (New Yo*, 18441, VoL II,
p.
U2
44
Skt. 100.
On March 16, 1825, President Adams appointed Ben H.
Reeves and George C. Sibley of Missouri and Pierre Menard of
Illin~isCommissioners to accomplish the work of surveying and
marking the Trail. Menard did not serve and Thomas Mather
was appointed in his place.6 The Commissioners selected Joseph
C.Bqmn of Missouri as the surveyor. His choice was a fortunate
one, and he brought to the project; a vast amount of prior
experience.
The survey commenced July 17, 1825, and Fort O w e , a
post east of present Independence, Missouri, was selected the
eastern terminus of the route. The surveying party entered what
is now the Oklahoma Panhandle on October 6, and the Field
NotesGof Brown and Sibley's Journal give an interesting glimpse
of the appearance of present Cimarron County.
The Committee checked carefully all sites in Cimarron
County along the trace of the Santa Fe Trail to determine- the
possible existence of autographs and inscriptions. The Trail is
well defined across the County and its exact location is well
known. Often as many (rs four to six parallel and deep scarred
ruts are plainly visible across the open country.
The Journal of Sibley and the Field Notes of Brown may be
folloyed closely; and it is possible with reasonable certainty to
check the various springs and other natural features mentioned
by them.
Water was of paramount importance, not only to the surveying party but to the countless immigrants who traveled the
Trail. Accordingly, the Trail was located so as to take maximum advantage of available water, and it should be noted that
the route was of added length in order to follow natural water
courses.
let springs and other water sources, it became common for
the parties of travelers and immigrants to make camp. Depending on weather and other local conditions, especially the state
of repair of the wagons, harness and other gear, immigrant
parties might delay several days a t the various camping sites.
Several such sites in Cimarron County are located near bluffs
or ravines with outcroppings of stone.
The outcrop is a member of the lower Dakota sandstone,
which is considered Upper Cretaceous7 in age. The stone is
5Kate L. Gregg, The Road to Sun& Fe (Albuquerque, 1952) p. 8. In
this volume are collected the Journals and Diaries of Sibley, Reeves and the
Commissioner's Report. This is an invaluable volume for students of the
Santa Fe Trail.
6 The Field Notes of Joseph C. Brown are in Eighteenth Biennid Report,
Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, 1913) pp. 117 et wq. I t
IW
appear that Brown's notes and maps have ever been officially p u b h d by
the United States Government.
7 Oklahoma Geological Survey, B d e t i n 64, (Norman, LW),
p. 86.
312
The Chronides of Oklahoma
relatively soft and is ideal for the carving of autographs and
inscriptions. Climatic conditions are advantageom to permit
the inscriptions to remain over a substantial period of time.
All favorable sites along the Trail were examined and it
was found that four separate localities bear inscriptions and
autographs. These have been arbitrarily designated by the
Committee with the site numbers hereinafter utilized. At each
location, modern inscriptions, autographs and other initials
are evident, and it is obvious that the carving of initials ia continuing at the present time. Except for the inaccessibility of the
rocks and the fact that the locations of the existing inscriptions
are not generally known, it would be reasonable to expect that
defacing would progresa a t a much higher rate than that at
present. The possibilities of future defacing are such that the
Committee desires to make a detailed report of each existing
inscription, including such photographs as are technically
possible.
After reviewing all of the inscriptions remaining legible,
the Committee determined arbitrarily to exclude all inscriptions
that appear from their character to be modern and of recent
origin and to exclude all those bearing dates subsequent to 1930.
While perhaps arbitrary, such appeared a reasonable cutoff date
for those of historical interest.
The Committee was concerned with the large number of
inscriptions, apparently of greater age, that are no longer
legible. In many instances, later inscriptions appear to have
been placed directly over older ones, thus obliterating the former. As the process of weathering continues more and more of
the writings will become illegible. Those that are read today
with extreme difficulty will probably in another generation
become entirely illegible. It is essential that detailed data be
recorded at this time, so that with the passage of time the older
writings will not in like manner become lost. The Committee
photographed in excess of 100 of the more legible inscriptions
and the pPotographs are submitted herewith as a part of this
report.
I n collecting this data, the Committee used 3 by 5 index
cards, and prepared separate cards for each inscription. In each
case, the cards were numbered starting at the left (as one faced
the rock) and proceeding to the right. Each card bearing an
inscription was assigned a number, and the numbers accordingly
are from the left to the right of each location. Such numbering
system will facilitate the future location of any particular
inscription.
In some instances, especially when they were accompanied
by a date, the Committee has included initials. I t is recognized
that initials by themselves are of minor significance, since they
Report oj Survey
313
give no clue as to identity nor other information. I n a few instances, initials were of artistic merit, finely inscribed, and ih
is a pity that the maker did not leave further information as to
his identity. A11 initials accompanied by a date are included
in the report.
This site is located iu the Northeast Quarter of Section 4,
Township 4 North, Range 4 East. The bluff is on the North side
of a sharp ravine which is a tributary of Cold Springs Creek.
The bluff faces directly to the South, with several over-hangs
and is situated favorably for the preservation of the inscriptions. Unfortunately, perhaps as much as twenty feet of the
east end of the bluff had been utilized during the early portion
of the present century as a quarry, and all inscriptions on that
portion of the bluff have been of course removed. Several
parties in the locality told the Committee that they remember
seeing inscriptions on building stone quarried from the site.
It was a t this point that the Trail entered arroyo or valley
of Cold Springs Creek. The Trail moved into the valley from
the East, crossed the creek a short distance practically due West
of the bluff i n question, and then proceeded in a southwesterly
direction along a gentle rise out of the valley.
The Committee noted that the dates of the inscriptions of
Site 1 are earlier than those a t the other sites. It is believed
that this is more likely due to a better state of preservation,
although it is the Committee's opinion that Site 1 was used as
a camping site earlier than the locations a t sites 2 and 3. Every
legible inscription at Site 1 was carefully catalogued, and a n
alphabetical list of all legible names is submitted as Appendix
-Site 1. The Committee was particularly impressed with an
excellent pictograph of a horse, and a photograph is submitted
as a part of this report.
This site appears to be so closely related to Site 1 that it is
considered in connection therewith rather than treated as an
independent location. It is in the Southwest Quarter of Section
5. As the Trail progressed westerly into the arroyo of Cold
Springs Creek, bluffs facing the creek along its eastern bank
were reached. Undoubtedly, on the flat ground between the
bluffs and the creek countless immigrants made camp. The
Committee was surprised that these particular rocks did not
bear more inscriptions than were i n evidence, but for some
reason, the inscription writing popularity of this particular site
was never in vogue. The Committee noted a date a t this location
which appeared to be 1802, but it was rejected as being so
nnlikely that it was believed by the Committee to be either a
modern hoax or some other date now partially illegible. At Site
1-Aare a number of initials of little or no interest and some
modern drawings and pictures, all of which have been disrep r d e d by the Committee. Appendix 8ite 1-A gives the list of
rnscriptions a t this site.
This is the principal site, and the rocks facing the stream
now known aa Cold Springs Creek are of substantial importance.
The bluff bears a great number of inscriptions and has become
known as Inscription Rock or Autograph Rock. This particular
location with its excellent water supply was important not only
on the Santa Fe Trail but also on the cattle trails crossing from
Texas to Montana* and other northern grazing grounds. Substantial weathering has occurred at Site 2 and it may be
expected that at some future time more and more of the writings
will become illegible. Autograph Rock is located in the Northwest Quarter of Section 8, Township 4 North, Range 4 East,
and is on the property of R. H. Gayler.
This locality was referred to by Brown as Mire Spring.
However, the name Cold Springs Camp must have come into
use shortly after the Trail was opened, as &egg9 in 1844 used
that name in his "Table of Distances" given for travelers on
the Trail.
The Committee noted on the high flat ground south and
east of this site distinct and well defined ruts of the Trail. This
trace is several miles south of and parallel to the route discussed
in connection with Site 1,and indicates another and more southerly crossing of Cold Springs Creek. Perhaps this route came
into use later than the crossing adjacent to Site 1. If so, it would
accouna for the circumstance that the dates of the inscriptions
for Site 2 are generally later than these at Site 1. The Committee attaches herewith as A p p e n d L S i t e 2 an alphabetical
list of all legible inscriptions appearing at Site 2 together with
explanatory notes. The photographs of each inscription accompmmg this report should be considered in the use of this listaga
This site is across Cold Springs Creek from Site 2. Here
the bluff faces to th_e south and looks out upon an excellent
8 Mdta Dorsey Davis. "Boss Neff," The Chronicles of Oklalioma, VoL
XXVI, No. 2, (Summer, 1948) p. 164.
Greg& op. cit, Vol. I, p. 313.
All photographs of inscriptions accompanying this
undes the title, "Autograph Rock Inscriptions, Santa Fe
County, 1960," in the Library of the Oklahoma Historical
index giving all inscriptions as found on the three sites
on file in the Library collections.-Ed.
8
9
.
report are filed
Trail-Cimuron
Society. A card
reported is also
Report of Swoy
315
camping ground on the west bank of the creek. The site is
located in the Northeast Quarter of Section 7. I n the flat adjoining the creek, there is located an excellent artesian spring. This
has now been capped and the water is piped for use locally. The
ruts or traces discussed in connection with Site 2 come directly
to this spring, now walled and capped; and if the difference in
dates between Site I and Site 2 is of significance, apparently
the Trail shifted several miles to the south during the 1860's.
The bluff at Site 3 has suffered the greatest amount of
deterioriation and only a few of the inscriptions are today legible. No photographs were made by the Committee at this site.
Attached as Appendix-Site
3 is a list of those inscriptions
remaining legible at this site.
Respectfully Submitted,
William (3. Fisher, Chairman*
John Freed
Bill J. Hall
George H. Shirk
Committee.
* Mr. Fisher is Assistant State Insurance Commissioner, State Capitol,
Oklahoma City. Mr. John Freed is Director of the Oklahoma Science and
Arts Foundation, Oklahoma City.
The CJuomider of OWdiom4
316
APPENDIX
-BITB #1
Mary Ellen Ames
E Ayers
D F B
K H Bl"
W 1859
C. Baker
J N Baker
J. M. Ball
E H Beal
E. Bean 1858
D. Beaty
1850
S.. Beebe
W. B. Bohon June 28/1847
Arch Brite
De: 1 1900
J. Brown
Scotland Aug 96
Pete Bryan
Nov. 24 1925
T. R. Byrd
C. A. C.
1881
A. 0.Capps 1852
G. W. Carr 1877
J. M. Case
J. B. Clark
1888
L. L. Clowere
L. Coleman
Aug 1899
John L. Corly
I D Curd
111
R W D 1844
C. F. Dagget
July 4 1880
1850 C. Davis U. S. A. 2nd Art.
J. E. Dean
E Delgado
J. C. Dent
L. Dent
wm
Detamore
J. Dixon
1847
Douglas
C. H. Egbert 1865
0. C. Estes
F. J. Ga sgowll
1844
GWG
Jerey : Gardner. Mar. 14. : 65
E. B. Gibbs
1925
Earl
A
Gillis
Feb 6
G. W. Givens 1846
Riley Gregg 1884
WPHl2
J. Hall. June 26, 1848
John Hagans
T. J. Hardin
R. Haverstick
0. E. Haynes
Mar 16, 75
J. Headington July 4 1880
Chaon Hoe Sr.13
Andy Hood
1894
T. J. Howard 1847
J. L. Hughes 1917
Alta James
March 92
Hugh James
F. L. James
W. T. James
Charley Kinzey
1oThese initials are accompanied by a Masonic emblem.
11All letters of the last name are not legible.
12 These initials are accompanied by an anchor.
1sSpelling of first name is uncertain.
J. J n Martin
M. Martin
Hardin
D. Matthews
H. A. Milton
Liberty Mo
June the 18
1849
Ben T. Moore
T. Ringo
Jerry Ryan16
James E Ryan
1866
W. R. Shannon - 1846
J. Shaw
J W Simpson
William Stratton
93
Aug 7
Geneva
Taylor
H. Taylor Aug 27 86
R. T. Taylor
A. K. Thompson
1846
S. Parker
1861-4-5
Louis Patell 1866
Chas W Patten
Augl 8 - Oswego N Y
C. W. Patterson
H. T. Peck
R R Po9
1846
F. L. Potter
E W Previtt
J. P. Rector
56
S. M. Tuttle
June 16, 1849
Clay Ty
. 184816
N. D. Van
W B W 1890
E C W 1927
W W Webb 1851
B. White
B. I?. White
1846
D. Willock 1846
H. J. Younger
. 19 184717
H. Leak
D. D. McClellanl~
1866
-
-
APPENDIX
ALC
1857,
F. B. Delgdo
... .
-
. .
-BITE
July 4th
Marzo 19 = 6818
APPENDIX
W. H. Abbott2"
1866
Mich
Jose Abodaca
Julio 19 1887
Josi Alexandro
Julio 2 1860
#1-A
Antonio Pablo
Gallelos F 13 - 1858
D. Sullivan Jun. 30 188
-8 I T E #E
J Alexandro
Snta Este
J. E. Altman
F. G. Austen
18
June
97
--
and an anchor.
Cirnnrron County.
18 All letters of the last name are not legible.
14 Below the year date appears a Lztin cross
15 There is a Jerry Ryan Creek in northern
17 Month illegible.
18 Last name is misspelled.
19 Year is followed by a well-executed Maltese Cross.
20 Between the two lines is a finely-executed Masonic emblem.
The Clironider of Okbhoma
318
Lewis B
A E Babcock 1908
J. T. Babens 1897
Booneville
Mo
R. Beatty
Sept. 20th 1865
Dayton, Ohio
Iowa
J A B 185721
J. C. Beaty
H W Benton
1876
S. Bib0
28 April 1868
P. C. Brite
E. Brookhart
1909
M E Brookhart
09
July 4,
M V Brookhart
1909
S. Brown
CO F 3d I
1859
J. R. Buckner
D.V.
Man Mo.
W. Burnett22
Feb 20 80
Burns 1866
B. E. C. 865
S. T. C.21
Oct 23, 1860
W. Calaham
Sim Calley
C. C. Calvin
Hardin Co. K y
Johnson Co. Mo.
1855
I D Campbell
R. L. Campbell
H.L.Cave
1858
H L. Cave 1858
J. F. Christian21
Ap 20 1904
0. S. Coffin
Leavenworthsl
1866
Ks
P. Come 9 3
G. R. Craig
E. D. 185624
JBD
Aug 5, 1856
Mary DeLand Daviez5
F. B. Delgado
Junio 18 = 66
A Decker
1860
J. Deleny
F.B. Delgado AB = 28 =62
F. B. Delgado
H B Dixon
1908 Mo
Nov. 1
Walter Kate Dixon
Sept 19. 1926
J. Doheny
Nov. 5, 1880
D. M. Drake
1858
Anna Duey
I11
18
Emma Dney
1883
I11
J. Duey
Ills.
85
J. S. Dney
83
Ab. 20 1860
JAE
A. 8. Eatan
Ang 19 1889
J. S. EsgiudelM
1893
21 The entire inscription is enclosed in a frame.
2%At the left of the month appears a symbol membling a monogram.
2s Although the last name is partially illegible, the name is believed
the Committee to be Connelly.
24 The last name is illegible and is thus not shown here.
35The name is in extremely well-exacuted script. Below
other line of text that is now entirely illegible.
Below the last name is a well-exc~~utui
hesrt.
by
the name is an-
Report of Survey
M. W. Foley
V.. Foos
Indzl
1856
1927-28
George Frenz?
Fulgen
T. A. G.28
1861
V. G. Vicente G
Abril 22, 1856
J. T. Gage
F. Garcia
W. Garric
J. E. L.
. . . . .za
6730
Martin
D. J. Gonzalez
Agosto 18 de 1881
R. Gonsales June 19 31
H. D. Gorham
J.
John N. Graves
R. A. Gregory
21 Dec 1873
C. A. Grest
C. Green33
1859
Levi Grimes
JAH 1895
1897
1869
1858
Gillespie
1861
1859
Ruth 1927
Hadden
B. L. Hankla
F. Hampson
John Harpers5
W. C. Harper
1863
H. D.
Sept
4 1927
Evelyn Hadden
Joe W. Haddens4
28
Edwin Harrison 1860
R. M. Hartell
John A. Hartzell 1866
Iowa
Henary
Hatfield
Geo. H. Hawkins
Mo 1856
Harris
Alfred Hays
J. M. Henderson
Herbs6
J J Herrera
Nov 22 1866
J I Highsaw
C. Hill
27 of Apl 1867
Hulan Hill
1900
J. A. Hood
96
27 Although the last name is partially illegible, the name is beIieved by
the Committee to be French.
28 The three initials arc enclosed in a finely designed frame, and below the
frame are three Latin crosses, resting upon what appears to the Committee to
be an Alter.
39 Other than the initial "G" the last name is entirely illegible.
so The appearance of the inscription makee it obvious to the Committee
that the year is 1857 rather than 1957.
31 The year is illegible.
32 This inscription was of much interest to the Committee. The letters
are large, well-executed and very distinct. Apparently they were cut by
someone named Green, and due to unexpected circumstances. the work war
not completed.
=Above the name is a large well-prepared Latin Cross.
84 The entire inscription is enclosed in a frame.
=The name is followed by several words of illegible text which could dmost be believed to read "the water boy of
.?
.*
86 Below the name is a cattle brand appearing as a Lazy S inside a buy
.. ..
half
111oon.
H. G. ~ o w a r d s r
14
Windham
VtAug. 1881
James M
Cruz Maranjo en 1879
Mateo
J 4th 1868
1907
J. M. Hudnut $852
Neb May 1908
Edgar Davis Humbolt
W. H. Middlebuscher
A. Miller
Corny K 1st Cal Vols
Lizzie Hurt 1885
Ruth Miner
Luis I
June 10
U.
1892
Luis.
Mogutieres
J. M. Moon
Mo
SA
Kendall
B. M. Morgan
1888
J. S. King
J. W. Klfne
Lebanon, Pa.
A.
1867
MTK
C. A.
de
Luna J. 20 1860
M. M. ~ a t i o c k
Hoxie
1866
M. Murphy
Aug. 5 62
F. C. Jarot
Dayton 0.
H.
Jessie Mae L
6. 1. 1909
H. H. Narron
L
Anna Narron
85
Mo
MC
Pablo.
L
L
Floyd Lance
8
21 -23
-
J. M.
1887
Leeper
J. C. Narron
1885
Boss. Neff
1886
34
J D Ochoa
Sept 28 66
H. A. Lester
1886
G.
H. A. Lilly
J
Don Lobato
H. Narron
Mo.
Ortiz
Overton.
1856
Mo.
H. Love11
60
Jose Teodoro Oyer
July 11th 1860
A. M.
Silbello
Elillaa Pacheco
Lucero
E. B. Ma 16 De.
Jeaus M. Pacheco June 3d 186238
Agust 16 1862
J McQuarrie
Jose
1881
Teodoro 1876
Palaco
J. F. S. I. M. 1868
Tans
s7The entire inscription is enclosed in a large frame.
~8 Apparently Pacheco visited the rock at least twice.
1858
Oeo. P. Robinson
Paul 18794e
A. H. Phillips
Wakefleld
Rober
1917
AEW
J. T. Plammer42
sep 21
1863
J. Porter 7 6 - 854s
B F Potter
T Potter
1856
D.
M. Potts
T. Potts
26
RI.
Aug 1 80
G. P. Robineon44
Wakefield
R I.
bug 4 80
Lewia Rodgers
1865
Hilario Romero
1860
Jose E Romero
June 3, 1862
T. Romero
Abril 27 1861
Antonio Rueno
1897
J. W. Prall
June 4 1885
1885
W. Prall
Atanacio Polinario
Tomaa Prieto
J.
1887
Jacob Reasoner
18
J. H. Renick
J. Rider
F. C. Rigga
May 11 1913
Roalarid
Junio 18 1866
Alfred N. Robertson 1869
W
Agapito Sandobal
Julio 19 1887
Julkn Sandoval
Abril 10 1860
Benyno Santys
Texan 1888
Loy P. ~chamaun
...re
Holland
M. B. Scott
1864
w.
Scovill
1860
John
Sego
I. W.
Sh
. . .ttnor46
The letter "A" of the last name was inadvertantly omitted, and added
later by placing it below its proper place in the name.
40 Mr. Paul must have had difficulty with his spelling. There is no evidence that there was ever a letter '
l
in"
the first name.
41 The reference without doubt is to American Expeditionary Force.
4s Above the name is a Latin C m e n c l o d in a frame.
48The name is followed by both a Masonic and Odd Fellows emblem.
44 The inscription is enclosed in a frame. Outside the frame are a skull
and cross bones, the symbol KKK, a Lazy Eight symbol and other markingo.
This is probably the most daborate inscription on the entin rock.
45 See footnote 15.
46 Seveml of the letters of the last name are illegibla
The Chronides of 0kMom.a
L. C. shultz
Mo.
Aug 7
N.
Chase S. Sieber
Sept 20 65
Narcisco
Trujillo
Ocate - Mura
County
New
Mexico
Sep. 10th 1893
T. W. Simmons
J.
D Smith
March 19, 1864
Edith
Smith
R.
Smith47
H.
18
May 5 - 95
Trujillo Hermano
Van. New. Turner51
Lebaon Tenn.
May Snearly
1907
Texas
J. E. Turner
J. H. Strong
Ben W 1881
N. M.
DHT
NY
R. Wagner
1880
C.
Tabor
Tomas
Tafolla
J u n e 15 1866
T Z Taylor
July 8, 1858
H. C. Wallace
Missouri
A. Wellenreuther52
31
i855
...
D. H. Williams
Tomas
1869
W. P. Williams
Ap. 4 1905
Torrey
W R York 28
Chapmond Young
W. Zane
M. Trujillo4s
97
B. Trujillo
APPENDIX
Jose
Wagnon
1888
1860
Jose Tomas
Lobato 1866
Jose
H.
J. E. Watson
Toler
1861
E.
Trujillo4Q
Ocate N. M.
Sept 30 = 93
Bus0
8 I T E #S
G. Trujillo
Luis T.
Los Trujillos
Mar 6 84
Louie Trujillo
47 The
May 2 95
Trujillo
6;
Co.
Elisco T. 1891
last two numbers in the year are illegible.
48 The inscription is in beautifully-executed script.
49 The inscription is accompanied by a five pointed star and a double
pointed arrow.
50 Between the two words of the name is a monogram or cattle brand.
5 1 The name ef the town is misspelled.
52 T h e month ia illegible.
5s Probably a diminutive for Narcisco Trujillo.